My second research focus involves two related subjects, the first revolves around movement patterns such as running in human evolution and the interface with those movement patterns of human spirituality and the environment. Contemporary concepts such as deep play, ultrarunning, ecotourism and even some examples of extreme sports are cultural behaviors that are based on the co-evolution of movement and ecology.

The second subject relates to my experience as a cultural resource and environmental land manager. I have discovered that conservation management of lands, especially Federal lands, is as much a function of the surrounding cultural perception of those interested and those tasked to protect and manage effectively as it is the actual environmental actions taken in that management plan(s). In this view, human agency is a key variable in the overall equation that results in effective environmental management and anthropology becomes an effective tool for understanding the complex relationships that develop between cultural (interest) groups, governmental agencies, politicians and the populace. No where is there a more visible and intimate relationship between human activity and the environmental then human recreation and indigenous, western and extreme sport, deep play, and ecotourism.